MTB Blog

It took me 41 hours to get from Cape Town to Monterey, home of the Seaotter Classic for the last 20 years.

As much as it was a long trip, it was certainly worth the while to be able to participate in that grand MTB event. Of course there were nuemoerous events over a 4 day period.  These include cross country, short track, downhill, 4 croos and even road events.

My time constraints only allowed me to take part in the 30 mile MTB tour. It was a glorious day and the vibe there was simply amazing. The organisers spoke of about 15 000 cyclists and about 3 time that many spectators that would descend on the Segway Racecourse over the 4day period.

The tours was what I know as a “fun ride” with a group start. The track though, was ceratinly suitable to racing with a number of serious uphills, single track, jeep tracks, sand, stones and a few hairy down hills.

The refreshment points were amazing. Besides water and energy drinks, they served chocolate chip cookies, M&M’s, grapes and jelly babies.

After the event, every tour rider was invited to a great pasta lunch in a marquees tent, exclusively for the tour riders. Chicken penne with a great marinara sauce, parmesan cheese, fresh rolls and a ceasar salad went down very well.

At the luck draw one rider walked away with a certificate for a new Specialized MTB bike, tailored to his size and requirements.

The event also had an expo with all the major MTB brands present. These include bikes, forks, clothing, helmet-top cameras, spare parts, etc.

I met Barry Stander’s mechanic at the Specialized van. It was great to speak with a fellow South African and Capetonian right there at the Seaotter.

The towns of Monterey and Carmel ( where I stayed)  are both beautiful tourist friendly villages and well worth an extra day’s stay.

I’m really keen to go again in 2011 but for the whole 4 days, if possible! Wanna join?

For many years now I’ve wanted to participate in the Sea Otter Classic. Though it will only be one event ( out of the many to choose from) I will finally be able to participate in just that, this weekend when I do the Mountain Bike Tour as part of the 20th anniversary of the Sea Otter Classic.

According to their web site, the Mountain Bike Tour will allow me the opportunity to enjoy trails of the BLM Fort Ord Public Lands! The 20 mile loops is a combination of singletrack and fire road trails. I will enjoy a fantastic post-race lunch and the Sea Otter Festival after my ride. There will be one rest stop for those in need of a mid-ride energy boost.

The rest stop will be stocked with CLIF bars, Clif Shots, Cytomax and bananas. So, wish me luck not with my ride but the 30hrs it will take me to get from Cape Town to Monterey California. I will be sure to tweet (www.twitter.com/mtbZA) and blog from there.